Diamondbacks select Virginia 1B Pavin Smith at 7th overall

The Diamondbacks made a shocker pick at 7th overall, selecting not Adam Haseley, but his teammate Pavin Smith. I had Smith as my #10 prospect in the draft. Smith defensively profiles as a 1B due to lack of running speed, but provides a middle of the order presence. He plays with an advanced approach at the plate with only 12 strikeouts in the entire college season. In addition, he hit 13 homers and walked 38 times, producing a .342/.427/.570 slash his junior season. Personally, I’m very disappointed with the pick with J.B. Bukauskas and Adam Haseley both available and the domino effect this pick will have the next couple seasons might have more damaging repercussions.

Further reading: Scouting Report, The Bard’s Take

The Diamondbacks probably made this pick not only to save potential slot bonus money at 7 and could use it to draft a player who fell to the 44th pick. That’s the only way I think this pick makes sense to me. Smith is the most polished bat in the draft class in terms approach and is maybe the best pure hitter overall. I have Smith projected with a plus hit tool and above average power, with a ceiling of 25 homers. I do personally feel bad for him since he’ll be the guy that replaces the greatest position player to put on a Diamondbacks uniform.

Smith shouldn’t take too long to reach the majors, I have his ETA in the middle of the 2019 season. I think by then, we’ll see Mike Hazen use Goldy’s 2017 MVP caliber season as a trade chip to restock the farm. I’m hoping that decision doesn’t get him run out of town though consider how popular Goldy is with the fan base. While he’s still a Dback, we should appreciate the level of play he brings day in and day out.